Local news

Ilkley Grammar School pledge as staff go on strike

Ilkley Grammar School says it will remain open for Year 11 and sixth-form students when the country’s largest teaching union goes on strike later this month.

The Cowpasture Road school says it will be open for students in examination years on Wednesday, March 26, but will be closed to all other years that day.

In a statement this week, the school said official notification from the National Union of Teachers informed it that 35 of its 100 teaching staff will be on strike on the day.

Years 11, 12, and 13 will attend school as normal from 8.30am to 3pm and school buses will run as usual.

Head teacher Gillian James said: “I regret we cannot have other years in school but I am pleased we can open for those in examination years. “As far as I am aware, the majority of local and Bradford schools are also closed to all but Years 11 to 13.”

The NUT is in dispute with Education Secretary Michael Gove over workload, pay, jobs and pensions.